Letters for Nov. 24

Note to fans, this is going to take time though, it is impossible to make a gourmet meal from stuff on a shingle.

Fran Bushardt

Buffalo

The three ‘R’s’ just didn’t have it

First, Lindy Ruff overstayed his welcome here in Buffalo. Years went by and zero Stanley Cups. Change was definitely needed and that happened.

Second, the GM named Darcy was finally sent packing to lands unknown. My lasting memory from Darcy is “I‘m working the phones” when searching for players. Darcy, your fingers will be worked to the bone looking for a job.

Ron Rolston, I never really heard of you, then they thrust you into the NHL.

So good luck Pat and Ted – we’ll be patient with you.

P.S.: Darcy, you let Ted Nolan go years ago, didn’t you? The joke’s on you now.

Ronald R. Pecoraro

Tonawanda

Breaking up with Darcy wasn’t hard for fans

Inspired by a current TV commercial:

There sat Darcy Regier, dining at a local restaurant, when suddenly five servers approach with a vanilla cake and broke into song:

You got fired,

‘Cuz we were tired.

Getting fired

Is hard to take.

They hired you,

And liked your picks.

Now they can’t sell any tix.

You’re gone.

With Ron.

Good luck in another town.

It’s (the Sabres offense) vanilla. Tee hee.

Mike Scully

Williamsville

Sabres one team of many that hasn’t won Cup

Sports fans are impatient. Ted Nolan addressed this in his first speech as head coach of the Buffalo Sabres. The changes needed to satisfy supporters of the Sabres would regard trading all of our picks away for Steve Stamkos, Kris Letang and Evgeni Malkin. Then a Stanley Cup would need to come to Buffalo at the end of May. People want change now. I want change now. I don’t want to root for a losing franchise.

The longest playoff drought in the history of the NHL is 10 seasons. The longest active drought is 7 years, which is on pace to be extended by the Edmonton Oilers. Buffalo has gone two years without seeing a playoff game, which is one year shy of the longest time lapse in Darcy’s now terminated tenure.

The Brian Campbell trade made before the 2008 trade deadline caused much controversy (among other trades). Darcy traded a seventh-round pick with Soupy for Steve Bernier and 1st round pick, with which the organization drafted Tyler Ennis, a cornerstone in the Buffalo offense.

People complain that Darcy never won us a Stanley Cup. They must not forget about the Toronto Maple Leafs, who haven’t even been to a Stanley Cup final since winning in 1967. The Buffalo Sabres are a member of a not so select group of teams who have yet to win a Stanley Cup, which includes the Vancouver Canucks and 10 other teams. Darcy, over his years as GM, allowed Sabres fans to unite against him. Still, he deserves the occasional tweet that says thank you, or good luck.

I wish the best to Ted Nolan, Pat LaFontaine and the rest of the organization, and Darcy Regier.

Jake Watkins

Angola

Sabres made their decision, but when will the Bills?

To Terry Pegula: What took you so long?

To the Bills organization, concerning the Jairus Byrd situation: What’s taking you so long?

Dave Gusmann

Buffalo

NHL discipline needs a review

Under Brendan Shanahan, the NHL’s disciplinary and officiating systems have become a point of mockery. It has been boiling up for some time but what made me come to this conclusion was the article from Nov. 17 about John Scott’s penalties in the Sabres game in Toronto. I watched the matchup, and saw how Scott received an unjust ruling from the third period scrum.

While watching the replay, anyone can see he was the only player who didn’t physically assault anyone, as he was being dragged down to the ice by McLaren. This wasn’t the only incident that has shed a black light onto the league’s ruling and officiating, making me question the league’s authority.

I’m referencing Patrick Kaleta’s questionable 10-game suspension, Phil Kessel’s three preseason game suspension for almost breaking Scott’s leg with his stick, and no suspension for Ray Emery’s bout with the Capitals’ goalie. These are just some examples where Mr. Shanahan and his crew have dropped the ball.

I’m just pointing this out because seeing how these rulings are building up, only more headaches and problems are going to come from the NHL.

John Moretti

Lackawanna

Bills still have a playoff pulse

Last week’s dominating victory over the Jets actually did more than just confidence boosting. In fact, the Bills win puts us right back into the crowded chase for the final wild card spot in the AFC. With nine teams hovering around the four and five-win marks, the spot truly still is up for grabs.

It’s easy to count the Bills out because of the fact they the currently sit towards the bottom of the race (win and head-to-head wise). But taking a look at our schedule, our next three games pit us against three of the NFL’s worst teams. In fact, our remaining five-game schedule is the easiest in the NFL, with the team’s combined winning percentage equaling only .347.

And to add to our easy schedule is this crucial bye week. Stevie and Woods have both been nursing injuries for the last couple of weeks, and this week will help them get back on the field. The bye-week also allows Marrone to get everyone refocused and reenergized. And after the inspired squad we saw last Sunday, Marrone’s job shouldn’t be too hard.

The situation is eerily similar to 2004, when we also had to win out. After four wins in a row, the Bills went into Pittsburgh and lost to a Tommy Maddox-led Steelers squad. This year we could very-well end up playing a Ryan Mallett-led Patriots squad, with a playoff berth on the line in their final game.

Despite an already disappointing year that has been plagued with injury and head-scratching losses, the Bills really do have a shot. I believe this squad can break the fourteen-year drought.

Matthew C. Unger

West Seneca

Thanksgiving tradition is sorely missed

As a proud alumnus of Seneca Vocational High School, I always feel a sense of emptiness as the Thanksgiving Holidays approach. I was in the crowd of thousands at All High Stadium in 1986 as our Indians captured a dramatic victory on Turkey Day to capture the Harvard Cup Championship. That memory lasts until today and it is a travesty that the wonderful tradition is no longer.

The experience was more than just a football game. Every year the Harvard Cup Championship game at All High was like the world’s largest high school reunion. I currently have a daughter who is a senior at Hutch-Tech and it is a shame that she never was able to experience the history of the game.

The weekly Harvard Cup radio broadcasts were also missed this year. They were one of the most entertaining sports broadcasts of any kind on the air and focused a bright spotlight on our City athletes. It is my hope that both Buffalo sporting traditions will make a quick comeback.

Mioshia Washington

Buffalo

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